- Fighting COVID-19 has always been a Team Canada effort and it continues to be one as we move into the recovery phase.
- Today, our government announced an agreement with the provinces and territories that will see over $19 billion invested in protecting the health of Canadians, getting people safely back to work, and preparing for a potential second wave.
- This Safe Restart Agreement for the next six months includes investments in priority areas, including:
- Helping municipalities deliver key services;
- Increasing testing and contract tracing through an investment of $4.28 billion, with a goal of conducting 200,000 tests per day to help manage future COVID-19 outbreaks, over the coming year;
- Additional support for provincial and territorial health care systems, including challenges related to mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness.
- $700 million to support health care system capacity, to help us prepare for a potential resurgence of the virus;
- $500 million to address immediate needs and gaps in the support and protection of people experiencing challenges related to mental health, substance use, and homelessness.
- $7.5 billion to secure personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare workers, essential workers, and businesses;
- Supporting the most vulnerable, including seniors in long-term care facilities and nursing homes;
- Canadians receiving long-term care, home care, and palliative care are at an increased risk of more severe cases of COVID-19.
- Our Government is providing $740 million to support one-time costs, over the next six to eight months, for measures to control and prevent infections for seniors and other vulnerable Canadians.
- This could include addressing staffing issues in long-term care, home care, and palliative care facilities and services.
- Ensuring safe child care is available so parents can return to work;
- To support parents as they gradually return to work, we are investing $625 million in emergency federal support to ensure that safe, sufficient, and affordable child care is available.
- This builds on our previous support for families during the pandemic, including a one-time increased Canada Child Benefit payment to help parents cover unexpected additional costs during this difficult time.
- Supporting people who do not have paid sick leave;
- BC is receiving $2.2 billion as part of the Safe Restart Agreement
- BC is receiving an additional $540 million for public transportation, including Translink, BC Transit, and BC Ferries
- Together, as a country, we’re laying the groundwork for our economic recovery.
